Random Thoughts 
John Bacon, Past President

I was once an Episcopalian for the simple reason that my parents, grand parents, and all my other forebears were comfortable in that faith. Early on, even before I flunked Sunday school while collecting gold stars for attendance, I was enamored with the beauty of the small cathedral, a symbol of the superiority of my faith.

Conformation of that misconception came through the mighty organ and the soaring music of a large, partly professional, and splendidly robed choir. This was especially true at Christmas and Easter. My progression carried me through robed acolyte to crucifer, watching the heads bow as I carried the cross toward the altar, preceding the Cannon, the Dean of the cathedral, and even the Bishop. The importance I felt was mind-boggling, my faith was cemented — for all the wrong reasons.

I was proof of the theory that the church must get ‘em young to keep them. Christianity was the only true faith for me until doubts crept in on learning about the sins of organized religion, the errant ways of the Popes, the slaughter of innocents by religious fanatics, the pogroms and the Inquisition. Despite the doubts, I hung on for years. Overcoming the profound influences and pressures to conform during childhood can be a daunting exercise. I cannot be enticed away from my UUism which came about through a dash of questioning the accepted, a dollop of independent thought, and a heavy dose of anti blind acceptance medication that ultimately won the battle against early and sometimes insidious influences.

I think of our own small Sunday school. Would not the world be a better place if other parents would adopt our practices and encourage the gray cells to function as intended? Children could then grow to maturity without having their minds stuffed with mind-boggling, Bible based mythology. We would still have differences but the resulting diversity would be an improvement. Children come to us with a clean slate on which anything can be written. It is up to us somehow to assure that it is occasionally erased with new possibilities being added